Councillor Richard Farnell and Hanson Springs representatives present trophy at York races

Richard Farnell and representatives of Hanson Springs present jockey Paul Hanagan with a prize

Leader of Rochdale Borough Council Richard Farnell and representatives of Hanson Springs presented a trophy to the winner of the Hanson Springs race at York on 10 September.

Joining Councillor Farnell, who was invited as Chairman Malcolm Hanson’s guest, were company representatives from Italy, Korea and America representatives, Pascal Esposito, Hughs Han and Kurt Kiekhafer.

Councillor Farnell said: "Hanson Springs is a first-class local company, one of the world's leading springmakers and an important provider of hundreds of skilled and well paid jobs in the borough.

"The council has worked closely with Hanson's on their expansion plans and I was delighted to join the company and many of their employees on its annual trip to York races. It's also an opportunity to raise lots of money for charity. Hanson also sponsored the second race.

" I was quite surprised when I was asked to present the owner of the winning racehorse with the sponsor's trophy. I was even more surprised to beat the bookies as I ended up backing a few winners."

The race, named after Rochdale-based company Hanson Springs, was won by jockey Paul Hanagan and his four-year-old bay gelding, Carnageo. The prizes were received by Paul Hanagan and trainer Richard Fahey.

Employees and guests of the family-based business have attended York races for a great day out in the Ebor suite since their 50th anniversary in 2013. Over 250 attended the day out, leaving on a convoy of coaches from the factory at Gorrells Way.

Hanson Springs was founded by Malcolm Hanson in 1963, manufacturing precision valve springs. The company now operates from two sites in Rochdale, on Gorrells Way and Mellor Street, and Plano in Texas.

Continual investment in the very latest valve spring production technology has enabled Hanson Springs to become one of the largest independent valve spring manufacturers in the world - a refreshing change, as many spring manufacturers are now part of larger and often non-spring related corporate groups.